Mazda MX-5 - long-term review

It's no understatement to say the MX-5 is the world's most popular two-seat sports car. Before BG24 FCC arrived, I have to admit I took very little notice of how many baby Mazdas were sharing the road with me, but now I’m behind the wheel of one, I’m seeing them everywhere (well, not often in the supermarket car park... more on that another time).

This, of course, is not scientific proof of popularity – but the indisputable, unassailable fact is that back in 2016, Mazda built its millionth MX-5... an amazing achievement for such a niche piece of kit.

The legend behind the car is that way back when, an American journalist suggested to the Mazda CEO that the company should make a small sports car. Nothing happened. And would it? Then, several years later, the same journalist got a job at Mazda and, cutting a very long story very short, he began to put his dream into action.

His basic desire was that the car should be as light and compact as possible, while still being comfortable and having a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Not a simple task, but the right people and the right environment saw the kernel of creation appear... and this turned into the MX-5. Taa-daa!

Mazda launched the car in 1989 at the Chicago show and the world swooned. It was first seen on UK roads a year later. Which makes it considerably older than many of the team on Top Gear. Just saying.

Fast forward a couple of decades and we have this, the fourth generation MX-5. Thirty-five years old, but still going strong, still loved by millions of people across the world, still often seen tearing up B-roads come a sunny weekend any time of the year.

It’s going to be in our custody for a year in total – the first six months with me, where we’ll be seeing if it’s still the most fun two-seat sports car money can buy. Then it’ll move to another member of the team for a little bit of a fettle, some mods, some cheeky accessories, some tweaks... and then some. All of which, for the first time, buyers can get Mazda dealerships to fit without invalidating any warranties or other boring paperwork nonsense.

Let the first part of the test begin!